Improvement in punching-machines



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SAMUEL W. MURRAY, OF MILTON, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO MURRAY, DOUGALL 8: 00., OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN PUNCHlNG-MACHINES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 136,172, dated February 25, 1873.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL W. MURRAY, of Milton, in the county of Northumberland and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mechanism for Operating Punching, Shearing, and other Machines, of which the following is a specification This invention relates to that class of machines for punching and shearing metals in which a vertically or horizontally reciprocating spindle or tool-holder is employed; and it consists in a novel method of operating said spindle through the medium of a horizontal revolving shaft carrying a wedge-shaped cam, which operates in an elongated slot or opening formed in the enlarged portion or head of said spindle, in such a manner that an upward and downward or horizontal movement of said spindle is effected by the alternate contact of said cam with the base and upper end of said slot. The second feature of my invention consists in the method of attaching the wedge or cam to the power-shaft so that the same is capable of being moved laterally for disengaging it from the contact surfaces in the slot for arresting the movement of the tool-spindle without interrupting the rotation of the power-shaft.

In the drawing, Figure 1 represents a front elevation of a punching-:machine embracing my invention. Fig. 2 represents a side elevavation, partly in section, of the same; and Fig. 3 represents a detailed view of the tool-spindle, showing a cam or wedge in an operative position.

The standard or pillar A, constituting the frame for the reception of the operative parts of the machine, is provided on one of its sides with boxes 13, forming bearings or guides for the passage and free operation of the vertical reciprocating spindle O. Said spindle is provided at its lower end with suitable devices for the attachment of punches, shears, and other tools employed for performing various metallurgical operations. A horizontal shaft, D, passes through the pillar A near its upper end, and is provided at its rear end with a beltpulley, E, or other device for transmitting a continuous revolution to the same from a suitable prime power. On the opposite end of said shaft is formed an eccentric prolongation, l, which carries a wedge-shaped cam, G, loosely applied to the eccentric for permitting a lateral or axial movement of the same, for the purpose hereinafter stated. The spindle C is provided with an enlarged portion or stock, H, in which is formed a vertical slot or opening, I, the upper end of which is of a curved shape, and the sides of which are inclined inwardly, as shown. At the base of said slot is formed a ledge or shoulder, K, which is provided with a notched upper surface, L, for the reception of the lower edge of the wedge G when the same is in the position represented in Fig. 1. The wedge is alternately elevated and depressed upon the revolution of the shaft D by means of the eccentric prolongation F of said shaft, which revolves freely in an axial bore or opening through the wedge, and thus a corresponding movement of the tool-spindle is effected as the wedge is alternately brought in contact with the apex of the opening 1 and notched ledge K at the base of the same. The lower end of the wedge and ledge K may be re-enforced by a steel surface counteracting the effect of prolonged wear. When it is desired to arrest the movement of the tool-spindle for enabling the operator to properly adjust the work it is only necessary to move the wedge laterally, thus causing the disengagement of its lower end from its seat in the ledge K and its passage to the opposite side of the opening I, which is made wide enough for permitting said movement. This operation is efl'ect ed through the medium of a swinging weight ed lever, I, which, when thrown into the position shown in Fig. 3, will, by its own weight, cause a lateral movement of the wedge. The said lever is pivoted to ears L on the face of the wedge by means of a pin, M, the move ment of the same in opposite directions for throwing it in contact with the seat L in the ledge or shoulder K being effected either by hand or through the medium of a treadle or other appliances. The spindle G is automatically raised and retained at its highest position, when the wedge is thrown into the enlarged side of the opening in the spindle by means of the lever N and counterbalance weight 0. When the various parts are in this position it will not be necessary to arrest the revolution of the power-shaft, as the lower edge of the wedge will be received during its revolution in a recess, P, on the lower end of the opening I, which terminates at the side and below the ledge K.

The mechanism, in substance, above described, may also be used in connection with machines in which the tool-spindle receives a horizontal reciprocating movement instead of a vertical movement. In a machine possessing a horizontal punch the eccentric is near the center of the shaft, instead of being located at the end of the same, the spindle and wedge being between the bearings, the spindle lying on its wedge.

In throwing the wedge in and out of gear it moves vertically, and is operated by a treadlethat is, when the foot of the operator is placed upon the treadle it lifts the wedge up into the notch and sets the spindle into operation. When the foot is taken off of the treadle the weight of the wedge, with such additional counter-weight as may be found necessary, causes the same to drop down into the recess and stops the operation of the spindle. The wedge is thrown in and out of gear through the medium of a treadle-lever and connectingrod, which latter is attached to a projecting stud on the wedge.

Similar devices for throwing the wedge in and out of gear may also be used in the ver tieal machine.

From the above description it will be perceived that provision is made by simple and eifective means for arresting the movement of the tool-spindle when at its highest elevation or stroke for arranging the Work below the spindle, and then, by a simple manipulation of the wedge, the downward movement of the spindle is effected.

I claim as my invention- 1. The combination, with the vertically or horizontally reciprocating tool-spindle 0 provided with the opening I and ledge K, of the horizontal power-shaft D with an eccentric prolongation, I*, and wedge-shaped cam G, when all the parts are constructed and operating as herein shown and described.

2. The weighted lever I, pivoted to the wedge G and adapted to be turned in reverse directions, for the purpose specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this 12th day of December, 1872.

SAMUEL W. MURRAY.

\Vitnesses:

J. M. BELFORD, W. D. GILMOUR. 

